Enzyme Substrates

Cellulose - a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. Cellulose is the structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants (~33% of all plant matter).

Lignin - a cross-linked racemic macromolecule with molecular masses in excess of 10,000 u. It is relatively hydrophobic and aromatic in nature. There are three monolignol monomers, methoxylated to various degrees: p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol. Lignin is an integral part of the secondary cell walls of plants and constitutes from a quarter to a third of the dry mass of wood.

Pectin - a family of complex polysaccharides that contain 1,4-linked α-D-galactosyluronic acid residues. Pectins are present in most primary cell walls and particularly abundant in the non-woody parts of terrestrial plants.

Hemicellulose - can be any of several heteropolymers (matrix polysaccharides) with a random, amorphous structure. It consists of 500-3000 sugar units (including xylose, mannose, galactose, rhamnose, and arabinose) with a branched structure. Hemicellulose is present in almost all plant cell walls.

Cellobiose - is a disaccharide of two glucose molecules linked in a β(1→4) bond. It can be obtained by enzymatic or acidic hydrolysis of cellulose and cellulose rich materials such as cotton, jute, or paper.